Hoyer Statement on One Year Anniversary of Supreme Court Upholding the Affordable Care Act

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement on the one year anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling upholding the Affordable Care Act as constitutional:

“One year ago today, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which will make quality, affordable health care accessible to millions of Americans. With that ruling, implementation of this law continued moving forward – and in January 2014 new transparent marketplaces will open where individuals and small businesses can shop for affordable insurance policies with a range of options. Furthermore, insurance companies will be prohibited from discriminating against Americans with pre-existing conditions or charging women more than men for the exact same policy.

“These reforms build on the law’s positive changes that are already benefiting Americans. Today, 80% of all premium dollars must be spent on health care, seniors in the Medicare prescription drug donut hole are paying less for their medications, and delivery system reforms have helped slow the growth in health care spending to its lowest level in fifty years.

“I was proud to work hard on behalf of middle-class families to move the Affordable Care Act through Congress in 2010, and I will continue to stand up in defense of health reform as its implementation moves forward.”